Report: Thunder's Serge Ibaka misses practice but expects to play in Game 4

Serge Ibaka and the Thunder's interior defense limited the Spurs to 39 percent shooting in Game 3. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Fresh off his return in Game 3, Thunder forward-center Serge Ibaka was not a participant in the team's practice on Monday but fully expects to play in Game 4 on Tuesday in Oklahoma City, according to Royce Young of ESPN.com.

The 24-year-old two-time All-Defensive team selection was ruled out for the playoffs earlier in May following a left calf strain suffered in the Thunder's series vs. the Los Angeles Clippers. With Oklahoma City now down 2-1 to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, Ibaka said on Monday he's been feeling better each day:

"The good news is I'm not feeling worse, so that's good. I'm sure every day I'm going to feel better every day, but I'm not expecting to feel much better yet tomorrow. One thing I know, I expect to do a better job."

Ibaka sparked the Thunder to a 106-97 win on Sunday, contributing 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. He said the pain on Monday was no worse than it was the previous day.

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